Terms of Reference

Quebec Coastal Waters Whelk (Buccinum undatum) Stock Assessment in 2024

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

February 7, 2025

Mont-Joli, QC

Chairperson: Virginie Roy

Context

The Fishery management sector of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has requested a science advice on the status of the stocks of whelks (Buccinum undatum) in Quebec coastal waters for fishing season 2025-2027.

The fishery is regulated in all areas as to the number of licences, the number of traps and the minimum legal size which varies according to the fishing areas. Quotas on landings are in place in areas 1, 2, 11, 12, 13 and 15. The last stock assessment of whelks in Quebec took place in 2022 (MPO 2022).

Objectives

Provide scientific advice on the management of whelk stocks in Quebec’s coastal waters (management units 1 to 15) for fishing seasons 2025 to 2027 based on:

• Population status trends in areas for which data are available such as landings, fishing effort, catch per unit effort (CPUE) and size structure.
• The most recent knowledge from research surveys.
• Ecosystem and climate change considerations influencing the stock.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Fisheries management)
• Provincial governments
• Academia and external experts
• Indigenous communities and organizations
• Fishing industry
• Environmental non-government organizations

References

• DFO. 2022. Stock assessment of whelks in Quebec’s inshore waters in 2021. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2022/029.